IDC Positions Xerox As a Leader

Xerox Is Positioned in the Leaders Category in the "IDC MarketScape: U.S. Smart Multifunction Peripheral 2014-15 Vendor Assessment."

This is the third time Xerox has achieved this leader position in IDC's MarketScape for smart multifunction printer vendors.

According to the report, Xerox's brand equity, R&D, and sales/marketing strength are among the top in the industry. The report specifically calls out Xerox's channel breadth and depth as being the widest in the industry, with special mention to Xerox's strong legacy in direct selling to the enterprise. Also to note, this assessment ties well with IDC MarketScape's recognition of Xerox for leadership in the managed print and document services market.

"We typically note a strong correlation between smart MFPs and the company's standing in the managed print services market," said Keith Kmetz, vice president, IDC's Imaging, Printing, and Document Solutions Programs. "IDC has recognized Xerox as a Leader in managed print and document services market, so its strong position in the smart MFP market corresponds with this adjacent opportunity as well."

IDC MarketScape remarked that ConnectKey Technology, which plays a foundational role in Xerox's Next Generation Managed Print Services strategy, serves as the embedded software system that is at the heart of Xerox's smart MFP portfolio. ConnectKey and the Xerox Extensible Interface Platform were highlighted by IDC MarketScape for their combined solutions development in four pillars including cloud and mobility, security, and other solutions offerings. As a result, Xerox offers a suite of capabilities for apps (Xerox App Studio), cloud (ConnectKey Share to Cloud), connectors to document management (SharePoint, DocuShare), mobile print (printing from mobile devices without additional software), and remote management.

Another significant factor in IDC MarketScape positioning Xerox in the Leaders category, is that Xerox incorporates the widest range of channels in the industry. Xerox has a strong legacy in the enterprise and continues to do well in this opportunity, but IDC MarketScape anticipates that Xerox will increase its presence in the SMB segment with more indirect channel recruitment. Currently, about half of Xerox's technology revenue comes through channel partners. By 2016, the target is approximately two-thirds.

When competitors were asked to identify the most and least competitive MFP vendors, Xerox was one of the vendors most often mentioned as a most competitive vendor in the market overall and in the healthcare market. This competitive acknowledgment shows that Xerox is perceived as a threat by other vendors in this market. In vertical markets, IDC MarketScape assessed that Xerox has done well in financial services (our fastest-growing market), healthcare, education, and retail/wholesale. Xerox's continuing innovation in workflow automation have made us a popular choice in these document-intensive verticals.

We appreciate the insight and evaluation derived from independent, third-party analysis, especially from an organization like IDC MarketScape – one of the world's leading technology research and advisory companies. We view the IDC MarketScape report as a valuable tool for customers seeking information regarding multifunction printers, solutions and services.

IDC MarketScape vendor analysis model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor's position within a given market. The Capabilities score measures vendor product, go-to-market and business execution in the short-term. The Strategy score measures alignment of vendor strategies with customer requirements in a 3-5-year timeframe. Vendor market share is represented by the size of the circles. Vendor year-over-year growth rate relative to the given market is indicated by a plus, neutral or minus next to the vendor name. License to share this information externally expires on March 26, 2016.